Senior Officers of the Namibian Correctional Service, the Namibian Defence Force and the Namibian Police Force

My Dear Wife and my children, Distinguished Invited Guests, Members of the Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It has been said that public service is one of the highest callings on the face of the earth and I have had the privilege and honour of being able to live out this calling for most of my life and especially for the past 18 years in my role as Commissioner-General of the Namibian Correctional Service. Let me therefore at this juncture thank the father of the nation, His Excellency, Sam Shafiishuna Nuyoma, the first President of the Republic of Namibia for the trust he had in me by appointing me as the Head of the Namibian Prison Service in 1995. I would further like to thank the incumbent President, His Excellency, Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia, for entrusting me with the responsibility to proceed as Head of the Namibian Correctional Service after he became the Head of State. His Excellency, Hifikepunye Pohamba also added a one-year contract to my period in the Public Service and I am very grateful for that.

Looking back at my tenure as the Commissioner-General of Correctional Service since October 1995, it is indeed an honour having received the great responsibility of being able to contribute to the Namibian nation in a special way that is focused on ensuring the security of the Namibian society at large and providing the best possible services to offenders. During this period together we achieved tremendously in terms of corrections reform and modernisation initiatives geared towards the realization of the vision of the Namibian Correctional Service which is “To be Africa’s leader in the provision of correctional services”. Some of these achievements include:

The introduction of a new Policy Document and Mission Statement that supports Corrections Reform.

The construction of the Lucius S. Mahoto Correctional Service Training College.

The introduction and implementation of the Offender Risk Management Correctional Strategy; a modern evidence-based approach of treating offenders in accordance to their risk and needs.

The introduction of a Correctional Management university degree programme in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Namibia.

The enactment of the Correctional Service Act, 2012 (Act. No. 9 of 2012) that aims at concretising the Offender Risk Management Correctional Strategy and the overall modern correctional approach in Namibia.

The introduction of a comprehensive, computerized Offender Management System.

Director of Ceremonies

I must point out that, I would not have been able to lead in the manner that I have and yielded the mentioned achievements without many of you sharing in the common vision and Correctional agenda. I therefore thank all the Ministers who were my political supervisors during my tenure, the Permanent Secretaries who worked with me, the NCS Senior Management and all the staff of the Namibian Correctional Service for their undivided support. I always consider myself being lucky and privileged to serve more than five political principals because each of them had their own leadership style from which I have drawn my strength and qualities to lead the Namibian Correctional Service to its current level of growth and development.

I know and trust that the Namibian Correctional Service will continue to grow as all its members and fervent supporters continue to diligently work towards nurturing this great trajectory which has been taken by the Service. I recognize the fact that even as I have done my part in the laying of a foundation together with so many of you, there is great optimism and faith in the fact that the baton is being passed to the next breed of leaders within the Service who will ensure the steady progress and realization of the vision of the Namibian Correctional Service. I am therefore honoured and humbled at the opportunity to witness this privilege being bestowed to the next leader of the Namibian Correctional Service. Our vision is beyond becoming Africa’s leader in the provision of correctional services. Our intent is to nurture and grow this Service into a professional and competitive organisation that can take its place among the best Correctional Services, not only in Africa, but the world at large.

Director of Ceremonies

I am honoured and overjoyed to see amongst us the Inspector-General of Police, Lt. Gen. Sebastian Ndeitunga, Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, Lt. Gen. John Mutwa, the Director of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service, Mr. Ben Likando, Lt. Gen Martin Shalli, the former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Ambassador Eddie Amukongo, my colleagues and friends, the Heads of Correctional and Prisons Services from Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the former ICPA Executive Director, Ed Wozniak. Your presence here has made this day ever memorable to me.

I am very much appreciative to specific individuals who have made significant contributions towards the implementation of the Offender Risk Management Correctional Strategy and its eventual launch through the provision of research assistance, actual text and networking. Included among these persons are my dearest colleague and friend who retired from the Namibian Correctional Service in 2011 and returned to Tanzania, Deputy Commissioner (Retired) John William Nyoka; as his magnificent work has paid off a great deal.

I must say a particular word of thanks to Dr. Frank Porporino from Canada, our consultant, whose expertise in the development and implementation of the Offender Risk Management Strategy we could not do without. You stood by the Namibian Correctional Service with your guidance and direction until today and still continuing to deliver your best. I thank you for your tremendous efforts Dr.

Director of Ceremony

In a special way I would like to thank my dear wife and our children for their support and understanding while they were missing me at home most of the time while carrying out my responsibilities as the Commissioner-General. But there were there to support me as they understood what it means to be the Commissioner-General of Correctional Service. I assure you that, now I will be with you as an obedient servant, even though this might not compensate the time you missed me.

Last but not least, I thank the members of the Parade, including the Police Band, for their notable execution of the ceremonial parade this morning. Continue the noble performance.

Once again, thank you all for being present here and for sharing with me this very auspicious occasion and I wish you all the best.